Type O Negative

Type O Negative frontman Peter Steele and his cohorts continue to "please" the perpetually unhappy. The band's mutant strain of gothic woe, brazen heavy metal, and psychedelic dirge attracts both metalheads and the black-clad Prozac crowd. There's tales of love and sex gone horribly wrong, preoccupation with bleakness, and general contempt of humanity. What's not to like? All of this, of course, is served up with a smirk, a detail easily missed by a good section of Type O's fan base.

Manic-depression is again prominent on the band's latest, Life Is Killing Me, which boasts Steele's politically incorrect affirmation of heterosexuality ("I Like Goils") and some stark personal moments ("Nettie"). Fans have warmed up to the new release, which should mesh well live with Type O classics "Black No. 1" and the band's cover of Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl," songs that put the band on the popular radar. Steele's caustic sense of humor should also fly well between songs (he's gloom rock's Rodney Dangerfield). Remember: This is a band that titled its greatest hits collection The Least Worst of . . .